Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Republican-controlled chamber has at least nine confirmation hearings this week

The Republican-controlled Senate, brushing aside concerns from Democrats and a government-ethics watchdog, is moving quickly this week to help President-elect Donald Trump staff his administration, scheduling multiple confirmation hearings on a single day on which the chamber also could vote on a step toward repealing much of the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans have set at least nine confirmation hearings for the week, starting on Tuesday with one for Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.), whom Mr. Trump nominated to lead the Justice Department.

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The lineup includes five hearings on Wednesday, the same day the Senate is expected to hold a series of rapid-fire votes in connection with a budget measure that advances the Republican effort to repeal the 2010 health law. Wednesday, Mr. Trump holds his first news conference since the election.